In St. Paul, the state legislature's picking sand mining lobbyists over trout, while back in greater Minnesota, conflict continues to flare as citizens scrutinize the industry.
The Post Bulletin's Heather Carlson reports in Mining restrictions near trout streams face upstream battle:
Despite a series of political defeats, a Red Wing lawmaker vows to keep fighting for legislation to protect trout streams from silica sand mining.
Sen. Matt Schmit, DFL-Red Wing, said he will keep pushing to prohibit silica sand mining within a mile of trout streams, springs and fens in southeastern Minnesota.
"Hopefully, people realize that we are not asking for the world here. All we're asking for is to be proactive and to give our agencies the tools they need to do their job and give our local decision makers the assurance that we are getting this right," he said.
But the first-term senator faces a tough fight. Republicans and Iron Range Democrats have teamed up to defeat the proposal. Last week, the measure was stripped out of the Senate's game and fish bill. On Tuesday, an attempt by Schmit put the regulations back into the bill failed by one vote in the Senate Finance Committee.
Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, was among those voting against the trout stream language. He said he wants to protect trout streams but believes other legislation will address the issue by helping set model standards and making agency experts available to help local governments. Local officials he talked to said Schmit's proposal goes too far and would amount to a de facto moratorium on mining in Fillmore and Houston counties.
"That would eliminate just about any opportunity for industrial sand mining in those two counties," he said. . . .
Check out the article in the Post Bulletin. Yesterday, MPR's Elizabeth Dunbar reported in Frac sand mining: Cyclists concerned:
Twin Cities bicyclists will be among those gathering at an event tonight to raise concerns about frac sand mining.Several silica sand mines close to the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin are near areas where cyclists like to ride and stay in bed-and-breakfasts. Some of the proposed mines in southeastern Minnesota are also located in scenic areas where cycling is popular. . .
"Bicyclists care about frac sand mining for the same reasons that I've heard a lot of southeast Minnesota residents testify at the State Capitol, and that's health, safety and scenery," [Tracy] Sides said. "Degraded scenery undermines the cycling and tourism. I've visited mining locations in Wisconsin, and industrial frac sand mines look like open sores on the land."
Sides said increased truck traffic from sand mining threatens a resource on both sides of the river. . . .
The Chisago County Press reports in Conference on creating local controls for frac sand mining operations brings area officials together:
Can the pristine St. Croix River experience and the silica sand mining operations expected to proliferate near the riverway, co-exist? As industrial silica sand mining expands in this region, that’s ripe with geologic formations that support silica sand deposits; will local officials be prepared for this vastly more intensive form of mining?
Leaders from towns and counties all along the Wisconsin-Minnesota border and in the St. Croix watershed came together last weekend to learn about what’s being done to regulate silica or “frac sand” mining. Some who have been involved in this issue for several years came to share their personal experiences with this industry. The conference was hosted by the St. Croix River Scenic Byway, and River Coalition and was held in St. Croix Falls’ Public Library. Frac sand or silica sand mining is causing concerns for local zoning authorities, public health officials and for citizens suddenly finding their farms, homes or cabins on the edge of a sand mine. . .
MPR's Dunbar reports on a development in Winona in Residents appeal decision on frac sand mine:
Residents in Winona County have asked the Minnesota Court of Appeals to reverse a decision that would allow a proposed frac sand mine to move forward without an in-depth environmental review.The Winona County board voted last month that the proposed Nisbit frac sand mine in Saratoga Township does not need to complete an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
But 12 residents backed by the Land Stewardship Project say the county failed to address concerns about the mine's potential impact. They say the county needs to take into account the potential cumulative effect of several mines opening nearby. . . .
Here's the Land Stewardship Project press release:
Land Stewardship Project Nisbit Appeal Press Release 5-2-13
Photo: A brown trout in Southeastern Minnesota.
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